Page 93 of There Are No Words

My cousins. Not all of them, but Vittoria, Patrizia, Emilia, and Valaria.

Even Veronica was here.

Finally, I turned to Brady and nodded to answer his earlier question. “Yes, yes, they did. This is practically all of Long Island. Maybe even a good portion of New York City,” I joked.

Just then, my sisters rushed over like a swarm of bees and dragged Brady and I further into the house. “Happy baby shower,” Bianca said, bouncing on her heels, her hands on my elbows as if she was helping me walk.

Smiling, I looked at her and the others. “Thank you! This is really nice,” I said, looking at all the neutral colors they used for the decor—beiges and grays.

“Yeah,” Brady put in, turning to my sisters. “This is really nice. We appreciate you doing all of this.”

Perla pointed to the gift table, which was really more like a giftpile, taking up a quarter of the living room. “Don’t thank us just yet.” She laughed and brought her finger to her lips like it was a secret.

If Brady and I weren’t ready for this baby before, then after today we’d certainly be prepared. More than prepared. I doubted there was a single thing we’d need.

Maria hugged Brady—which I’d yet to see her do, by the way. “We just love you both so much and are so happy for you.” She sounded like she was about to get choked up, but I let it slide because I knew she wouldn’t want me to point it out.

“I can’t believe all the people who turned out,” I said, still amazed by how many people were here for Brady and me and our unborn baby.

Perla sighed. “Yeah, we couldn’t believe it, either,” she joked, and looked around. “Even with this turnout, though, there are still some people—”

I put my hand up in the air. I suspected I knew what she was about to say—Mom and Jade were missing. “Mom’s with me,” I said, tapping my heart.

She nodded. “I know, but I can’t help but feel bad we didn’t invite Jade. She should be here.”

“I’m so glad you said it, because heaven help me, but I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Bianca said, and rolled her lips.

I didn’t want to make today about that, so I tried to let it go, but I couldn’t not say what was on my mind—“Really? So does that mean. . .”

Perla nodded. “It’s too late for today, but I think we should invite her to theBellissimaanniversary party.”

“Mom would want that,” Bianca said, nodding and nudging Maria. “Right, Maria?”

Looking unsure, Maria shrugged. “Yeah, right.” Then she looked around, and her gaze fell back on me. “I guess Mom would want that.”

“I’m going to let you sisters talk for a few minutes and go find the guys. You don’t mind, right?” Brady asked, rubbing my back.

He could obviously read Maria like a book. Not that it was hard or anything. She’d been pretty obvious about where she stood on the Jade front.

I shook my head, and he kissed my cheek before turning to leave.

With Brady gone, Perla turned to Maria. “All right, what gives?”

Rolling her eyes, Maria crossed her arms. “I just don’t feel comfortable with all of this. We don’t even know her.”

This was typical Maria. And it wasn’t a bad thing, either. I just wasn’t all that surprised by her reaction. “You don’t know anyone until you get to know them,” I pointed out.

“Plus, she is family,” Bianca interjected. It seemed Bianca was coming around, too, not just Perla.

“She’s a stranger,” Maria countered. Her eyes widened and she licked her lips, her eyes darting around us as though to make sure no one was listening. “I’m sorry, it’s how I feel, okay?”

And there was nothing wrong with that. But I looked at the house full of people, as she’d just done. How could she not have seen what I did? At one point or another many of these people were strangers to us but look at everyone now. They were herefor me. Here for Brady, who was also a relative stranger to many of them. “For now,” I said and bit my bottom lip.

“How do we know she doesn’t want something from us?” Maria asked. Just then Dom walked up to us. “Good. I’m glad you’re here,” Maria directed to him, arching a brow. “Can you help me out?” She gestured between us. “Please.”

Dom furrowed his brows. “With what?”

“We’re talking about Jade,” Perla explained.

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